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Steve was diagnosed more than 10 years ago and is being cared for in a County Durham nursing home. Regan, who ran the Yorkshire marathon last year with Caitlin, took up running after leaving his role as Scottish football’s top official. He resigned as SFA chief executive last year following eight years in the position.

He said: “I did my first marathon last year with Caitlin in York. I wasn’t really fit and didn’t expect to finish it.

“When I did, I was a bit annoyed that I hadn’t used the opportunity to raise any money. So we decided to do this one and raise funds for Alzheimer’s Society.

“Alzheimer’s is a cruel disease and it catches you off guard.

“People are physically able but their memory starts to go. The only person my dad can still recognise is my mum, who’s now in the same care home.

“They got married in 1952. He still gives her a kiss every morning. He doesn’t recognise any of us and it’s heartbreaking.

“Sometimes you just want to catch up on the good old days but that’s gone.

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Taylor pledged £100 to Regan’s marathon effort with the message: “All the very best from all members and staff of the PFA.”

Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer. Someone develops it every three minutes and there’s no cure.

Stewart, who runs a sports consultancy firm, has raised the illness with FIFA deputy secretary general Zvonimir Boban and worked with the English FA, who pledged a six-figure sum to fund research into football’s links with dementia.

He added: “We’ve watched my dad fade away. It’s difficult when he doesn’t know his family or recognise people he’s known for years.

“The deterioration can happen over a long period of time and the person you know gradually disappears before your very eyes.

“It’s like having a photograph and then over the years it almost starts to become a negative.

“I know how tough it is for people who have loved ones who are suffering with this disease. We need to try to do everything we can to support them.”